Enrolment - Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS) & ABSTUDY Forms 2018

Parents of students in Year 7 to 12 may be eligible for up to $350 towards school expenses. To be eligible the claimant must hold one of the following cards, valid for a period of no less than four (4) weeks:

The concession card must be current some time during first term (31 January, 2018 to 13 April, 2018).

STUDENTS

Students must be enrolled in Years 7 to 12 and studying a full-time secondary course. The allowance is paid up to and including the year the student turns 18 years of age (i.e. not eligible if born in 1999 or before).

APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY APRIL 13, 2018. For more information please contact the School Administration Office on 9297 9700

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What payments does the parent/guardian/school receive?

The Secondary Assistance Scheme Allowance consists of two types of applications being SAS or ABSTUDY Supplement Allowance. Parents/guardians who apply for SAS receive:

1) $115 Clothing Allowance, paid directly to the school or parent/guardian. (Full $115 paid even if enrolling after end of term 1).

2) $235 Educational Program Allowance, paid directly to the school.

If, however the student qualifies for Centrelink ABSTUDY, then the parent/guardian can ONLY apply for ABSTUDY Supplement Allowance Payment which consists of:

1) $79 Education Program Allowance, paid directly to the school. (Please note, Centrelink will make a payment of $156.00 either directly to the school or parent, so the total Education Program Allowance paid is $235.00. This is the same amount as the Secondary Assistance Scheme payment).

What is Centrelink ABSTUDY and why can’t I apply for SAS rather than ABSTUDY Supplement Allowance?

The Department of Human Services (Centrelink) provides support through a scheme called ABSTUDY. For further details of this scheme and payments, please contact Centrelink. (Note: Centrelink ABSTUDY payments are made for schooling expenses, the same purpose as the Secondary Assistance Scheme, therefore both cannot be applied for).

To ensure no student or family is financially disadvantaged, by setting the SAS ABSTUDY Supplement Allowance payment amount at $79.00, this ensures a total payment for the Education Program Allowance of $235.00 per student, regardless whether the parent/guardian has applied for SAS or SAS ABSTUDY Supplement Allowance.

A student is receiving ABSTUDY payments. Can they also receive Secondary Assistance?

No, those receiving the $156 or $78 ABSTUDY School Fees Allowance payment from Centrelink (which can be paid to either the parent or the school), cannot claim Secondary Assistance. The ABSTUDY School Fees Allowance is for schooling expenses, the same purpose as the Secondary Assistance Scheme; therefore, both cannot be applied for. Recipients of the ABSTUDY School Fees Allowance may apply for the $79 ABSTUDY Supplement Allowance.